The departure of Kathleen Kennedy marks the close of a defining chapter in the modern history of the “Star Wars” franchise.
Kathleen Kennedy to Exit as Lucasfilm President
Kathleen Kennedy, the longtime president of Lucasfilm, is set to step down from her leadership role after nearly 14 years at the helm of the iconic sci-fi studio. Disney confirmed on January 15 that Kennedy will transition away from day-to-day management and return to full-time producing, bringing an end to her tenure overseeing the “Star Wars” franchise under Disney ownership.
Kennedy assumed the role in 2012, the same year George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney for $4 billion. Since then, she has guided the franchise through a major revival and expansion across film and television.
Leadership Transition at Lucasfilm
Following Kennedy’s departure, Lucasfilm will move to a new leadership structure. Dave Filoni, the studio’s chief creative officer and a longtime “Star Wars” collaborator, will take over creative oversight as president. Lynwen Brennan, previously president and general manager of Lucasfilm’s business operations, will serve as co-president.
In her farewell statement, Kennedy reflected on her journey, calling it a “true privilege” to lead Lucasfilm and praising the creativity and dedication of its teams. She also expressed enthusiasm about continuing to develop films and television projects with both established and emerging storytellers.
A Transformative Era for ‘Star Wars’
Under Kennedy’s leadership, Lucasfilm released five major “Star Wars” feature films. The sequel trilogy — The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker — grossed more than $4 billion worldwide between 2015 and 2019. The Force Awakens remains the highest-grossing film of all time at the domestic US box office.
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Beyond cinema, Kennedy oversaw a major expansion into television. The Mandalorian, launched in 2019, became Disney+’s flagship series and a global pop-culture phenomenon. Meanwhile, Andor, a prequel to Rogue One, earned critical acclaim and more than 20 Emmy nominations across two seasons.
Challenges and Mixed Outcomes
Despite these successes, Kennedy’s tenure also faced setbacks. Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) underperformed at the box office, becoming the first financial disappointment in the franchise’s film history. Kennedy later acknowledged that recasting Harrison Ford’s iconic Han Solo role was a misstep.
Legacy Beyond Lucasfilm
Before Lucasfilm, Kennedy built an illustrious career as a producer and co-founder of Amblin Entertainment with Steven Spielberg, working on landmark films such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park. As she steps aside, her influence on blockbuster filmmaking — and on “Star Wars” — remains firmly etched in Hollywood history.
